Cleveland County, NC Home Business: Zoning & Home Occupation Permits (2026)

The Unified Development Ordinance (chapter 12) recognizes two tracks for running a business from home in the unincorporated county. A customary home occupation under Sec. 12-136 needs no separate permit: it must stay clearly incidental to the residential use, use no more than 25 percent of the principal dwelling's heated finished area (an attached garage or basement counts toward that allowance), employ no more than one nonresident, display no products visible from the street or neighboring lots, and run only between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. Only passenger-type vehicles such as cars, vans and pickups may be used in connection with the business, and no accessory structure or outside storage is allowed.

A rural home occupation under Sec. 12-137 goes further: it can occupy one accessory structure in addition to the dwelling, but it requires a zoning permit before it starts. Type A is allowed in the RU, RA, RM and R districts; the accessory structure must sit in the rear yard, at least 75 feet from a neighbor's house and 25 feet from any adjoining lot line, and no more than one nonresident employee is permitted, with hours running 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Type B is limited to the RU and RA districts on a parcel of five acres or more; its accessory structure and parking area must sit at least 150 feet from a neighboring house and 100 feet from any adjoining property line, with a 100-foot driveway setback, Type B screening under Sec. 12-305, and up to five nonresident employees.

Violations of either standard are enforced under Sec. 12-94 by the Planning Department administrator, with escalating civil penalties and each day of continuing violation treated as a separate offense.